Work glove

ABSTRACT

A glove includes a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space. A first finger portion of the set of finger portions includes a knitted back side segment, a grip side segment and a first knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment. The first knitted fourchette segment and the knitted back side segment are of a continuous knit. The first knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the knitted back side segment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to gloves and, more specifically, to a work glove with enhance finger flexibility.

BACKGROUND

Work gloves of a variety of types are known. The use of 3D knitting in apparel has become known and provided advantages in terms of shaping fabrics as desired.

It would be desirable to provide a glove that employs 3D knitting technology in an advantageous manner.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a glove includes a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space. A first finger portion of the set of finger portions includes a knitted back side segment, a grip side segment and a first knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment. The first knitted fourchette segment and the knitted back side segment are of a continuous knit. The first knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the knitted back side segment.

In another aspect, a glove includes a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space. A first finger portion of the set of finger portions includes a knitted back side segment, a grip side segment, a first knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment and a second knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment. The first knitted fourchette segment, the second knitted fourchette segment and the knitted back side segment are of a continuous knit. The knitted back side segment is formed of a plurality of yarns. The first knitted fourchette segment and the second knitted fourchette segment are each formed of at least one yarn less than the plurality of yarns, such that each of the first knitted fourchette segment and the second knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the knitted back side segment.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back side view of a glove;

FIG. 2 is a palm side or grip side view of the glove;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the glove;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one finger portion of the glove; and

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the finger portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to 1-6, a glove 10 includes a body portion 12 defining an internal space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portions 14 extending from the body portion 12. The digit portions include four finger portions 14′ and a thumb portion 14″. Each digit portion 14 defines an elongated internal digit receiving space. The glove also includes a wrist portion 16, which may include a releasable strap 18 for adjustment (e.g., using hook and loop fasteners).

The back side of the glove 10 is formed primarily of a knitted segment 20 that runs continuously from the body portion and onto the back side of each digit portion 14. The grip or palm side of the glove is formed primarily of a textile segment 22 (sheet, woven, or knit) that is joined via seam to the knitted segment 20. The knitted segment 20 is joined (e.g., such as by stitching or adhesive) to the segment 22 along areas 24 (demarcated by a dashed lines). Here, the knitted segment 20 is of a multi-yarn knit, such as two yarns, three yarns or more. The multi-yarn knit creates a desired thickness that serves a cushioning and protective function for the back side of a wearer's hand. Additional cushioning may, in some embodiments, be provided at the interior of the glove around the knuckle region by a further textile that is seamed to the interior side of the knitted segment 20.

Each finger portion 14′ include one or more knitted fourchette segments 30, each of which runs along a lateral section of the finger portion, between the knitted segment 20 and the textile segment 22. Here, the pointer finger portion and the pinky finger portion each include only one fourchette segment, at the inner lateral side. However, the middle finger portion and the ring finger portion each include two fourchette segments, on opposite lateral sides of the finger portion.

Notably, each knitted fourchette segment 30 is formed as part of a continuous knit with the knitted back side segment 20. However, each knitted fourchette segment 30 has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the knitted back side segment 20. Here, the thickness differential is achieved, at least in part, by the fact that the knitted back side segment 20 is formed of at least first and second yarns, and wherein the fourchette segments are formed of only the first yarn, with the first yarn running continuously from the knitted back side segment 20 onto the knitted fourchette segment 30. Each fourchette segment 30 joins the knitted back side segment 2—along a transition border 32. The first yarn crosses the transition border 32, but the second yarn does not cross the transition border 32. In one implementation, the knitted back side segment 20 may be formed of the first yarn, the second yarn and a third yarn.

In one implementation, a thickness of the knitted fourchette segments 30 is no more than 60% (e.g., no more than 50%) of the thickness of the knitted back side segment 20. It being recognized that the thickness of a knit can vary depending upon position along the knit, the term “thickness” as used herein in reference to knitted segments is understood to mean average thickness.

The continuous knit and fourchette arrangement of the glove 10 provides for enhanced flex in the lateral side or sides of the finger portions, where most needed.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove, comprising: a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand; a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space; wherein a first finger portion of the set of finger portions includes a knitted back side segment, a grip side segment and a first knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment; wherein the first knitted fourchette segment and the knitted back side segment are of a continuous knit; wherein the first knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the knitted back side segment.
 2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the knitted back side segment is formed of at least a first yarn and a second yarn, and wherein the first knitted fourchette segment is formed of only the first yarn, with the first yarn running continuously from the knitted back side segment onto the first knitted fourchette segment.
 3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the first knitted fourchette segment joins the knitted back side segment along a transition border, wherein the second yarn does not cross the transition border.
 4. The glove of claim 2, wherein the knitted back side segment if formed of the first yarn, the second yarn and a third yarn.
 5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the grip side segment is a material other than knitted, wherein the first knitted fourchette segment is stitched to an edge of the grip side segment.
 6. The glove of claim 2, wherein the first finger portion further includes a second knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment, wherein the second knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the knitted back side segment.
 7. The glove of claim 6, wherein the second knitted fourchette segment is formed of only the first yarn, with the first yarn running continuously from the knitted back side segment onto the second knitted fourchette segment.
 8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first knitted fourchette segment is no more than 60% of the thickness of the knitted back side segment.
 9. A glove, comprising: a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand; a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space; wherein a first finger portion of the set of finger portions includes a knitted back side segment, a grip side segment, a first knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment and a second knitted fourchette segment extending from the knitted back side segment to the grip side segment; wherein the first knitted fourchette segment, the second knitted fourchette segment and the knitted back side segment are of a continuous knit; wherein the knitted back side segment is formed of a plurality of yarns; wherein the first knitted fourchette segment and the second knitted fourchette segment are each formed of at least one yarn less than the plurality of yarns, such that each of the first knitted fourchette segment and the second knitted fourchette segment has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the knitted back side segment.
 10. The glove of claim 9, wherein the knitted back side segment is formed of at least a first yarn and a second yarn, and wherein each of the first knitted fourchette segment and the second knitted fourchette segment is formed of only the first yarn, with the first yarn running continuously from the knitted back side segment onto the first knitted fourchette segment and from the knitted back side segment onto the second knitted fourchette segment.
 11. The glove of claim 10, wherein the first knitted fourchette segment joins the knitted back side segment along a first transition border, wherein the second knitted fourchette segment joins the knitted back side segment along a second transition border, wherein the second yarn does not cross the first transition border or the second transition border.
 12. The glove of claim 11, wherein the knitted back side segment if formed of the first yarn, the second yarn and a third yarn, wherein the third yarn does not cross the first transition border or the second transition border.
 13. The glove of claim 9, wherein the grip side segment is a material other than knitted, wherein the first knitted fourchette segment is stitched to a first edge of the grip side segment, wherein the second knitted fourchette segment is stitched to a second edge of the grip side segment. 